A V-formation flock of geese seems to have one member of the group as the leader, but each member takes its turn at the point of the V, leading the way as the others in the formation honk in encouragement. The geese stay together, even when one becomes sick or injured; the group stays with it until it is well enough to continue the journey at its regular pace.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

I've always loved summer - remembering, probably incorrectly, peaceful, quiet summer days when a good book beckoned and schedules weren't so cram-packed full of activities. There is always that inevitable to-do list, but there usually seemed time to just relax and enjoy life a little more.

Enter grandchildren. Love them to death, but they do banish solitude and peace and quiet! I've just had my two youngest for a few days and we packed those hours full of activities till I was exhausted when they left. Fortunately, recovery is quick and I was able to get ready for the next small crew.

Two teen-age granddaughters needed to be packed off to girl's camp while their parents delivered their older brother to the MTC where he will study for 8 weeks before leaving for his France, Paris mission for two years. The girls were basically ready - they just had to be delivered on different days to the meeting point for camp. But in the hours between, we needed to work on dresses, aprons, bonnets and pantaloons for the pioneer trek in July. Mission accomplished in getting them off - still have some sewing to do when they return as they both needed two of each item.

Had two days reprieve to gather my wits and put my house back in order before I collect my youngest grandson tomorrow to stay for nine days. This visit will be different. This seven year old has never come alone. His sister, three years older, has always been with him. I'm afraid we are going to have a bit of a time keeping him entertained so he doesn't miss her too much.

I compiled a list of activities, gathered books, made menus with his favorite foods and was thinking about other fun things we could do when I started cleaning off my desk. I ran across a "Gem" from Boyd K. Packer that struck me as pertinent to the world today and how we do try to cram too much into our lives - to everyone's detriment.

"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures. The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth . . . .

This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.

The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.

Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit. . . .

No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration. The spirit of reverence can and should be evident . . . . in the lives of every member." Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," General Conference October 1991

Guess I'll plan a few more peaceful, quiet activities and forego some of the noisier ones so the inspiration will more readily flow as to what his needs really are. I definitely need all inspiration I can get - and I enjoy reading to a grandchild as much as losing myself in a good book!